Ripping approx. 12,000 CD's to flac on a ReadyNas. To control all this I'm searching for a touch screen control system to use without turning on a TV. Before the Sonos/Logitech debates begin (and this is not for me but for a buddy) the system needs to be higher end due to sound quality issues. Very high end stereo with high end DAC that will be used. He auditioned the Sonos, and the sound was not comparable to the CD, even through the Sonos digital out to the DAC.

So, with that background, here's where we stand. Leaning towards ReQuest system but need to figure out control. Since it's not a whole house thing, no justification in paying for Crestron programming. Looking into the UMPC/Slate route and using ReQuests web interface. The question is can it be done comfortably on a ~7" touch screen like the Samsung Q http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=mobilecomputing&subtype=ultramobilepc&model_cd=NP-Q1EX-FA01US or do we need something bigger like the new Fujistu ST series http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=ST6012&ptype=TB , but that's over 3lbs.!

Other suggestions?

Thanks!!

Ripping approx. 12,000 CD's to flac on a ReadyNas. To control all this I'm searching for a touch screen control system to use without turning on a TV. Before the Sonos/Logitech debates begin (and this is not for me but for a buddy) the system needs to be higher end due to sound quality issues. Very high end stereo with high end DAC that will be used. He auditioned the Sonos, and the sound was not comparable to the CD, even through the Sonos digital out to the DAC.

So, with that background, here's where we stand. Leaning towards ReQuest system but need to figure out control. Since it's not a whole house thing, no justification in paying for Crestron programming. Looking into the UMPC/Slate route and using ReQuests web interface. The question is can it be done comfortably on a ~7" touch screen like the Samsung Q http://www.samsung.com/us/consumer/detail/detail.do?group=computersperipherals&type=mobilecomputing&subtype=ultramobilepc&model_cd=NP-Q1EX-FA01US or do we need something bigger like the new Fujistu ST series http://store.shopfujitsu.com/fpc/Ecommerce/buildseriesbean.do?series=ST6012&ptype=TB , but that's over 3lbs.!

Other suggestions?

Thanks!!

12,000 CDs :eek: And I thought I had a lot with 4,000. Did he consider a Transporter, and then something like J. River/Cinemar combo to control?

CD

Take a look at the Sooloos sytem which for convenience and sound quality is outstanding.

I would give another look at Squeezebox. They have transporter which is audiophile quality machine with high end DACs that supports the NAS you are using. As for control get a Pronto TSU9600 or 9800 for control. There is 3rd party add in to control it including metadata and album cover art on remote. There is even an audiophile forum at slim devices with guys who are using outboard DACs with squeezebox also. Worth a look.

http://forums.slimdevices.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

I would give another look at Squeezebox. They have transporter which is audiophile quality machine with high end DACs that supports the NAS you are using. As for control get a Pronto TSU9600 or 9800 for control. There is 3rd party add in to control it including metadata and album cover art on remote. There is even an audiophile forum at slim devices with guys who are using outboard DACs with squeezebox also. Worth a look.

http://forums.slimdevices.com/forumdisplay.php?f=7

McSmarty, doesn't sound like a Classic or SBR is going to do it for him, AQ-wise, as he's tried a Sonos to his DAC and not found it to his liking (and I would put the Classic and SBR on par with that device). I agree with you, the digital output from these devices, through a good DAC in the $1k range passes muster for me, but there's no accounting for really revealing systems (and of course, Golden Ears).

Also, I don't think the 3.7" screen of the Pronto is what he has in mind. Probably more like a 15", 17" touch-monitor, like the one that comes with the Sooloos system that Kal recommended (if the OP has BIG bucks), or one he can DIY with CQC or J. River/Cinemar, as I suggested (if he doesn't).

CD

Thanks for the early suggestions. Sooloos wants the consumer to pay ridiculous amounts for the back end storage, and from what I gather, utilizes a fixed position touch screen. Looking for a portable touch.

Also, forgot to mention, doesn't want anything that may require much 'fiddling' down the road, and I don't feel like visiting that often...

Thanks for the early suggestions. Sooloos wants the consumer to pay ridiculous amounts for the back end storage, and from what I gather, utilizes a fixed position touch screen. Looking for a portable touch.

Also, forgot to mention, doesn't want anything that may require much 'fiddling' down the road, and I don't feel like visiting that often...

OK, so let's review: you need a streamer/controller for a 12,000 CD FLAC collection, you want a large touchscreen controller (but that can also be portable), it needs to sound better than the digital output of a Sonos...you don't want to pay a premium for easy-to-use, proprietary software/hardware, but you don't want to have to tweak and fiddle with it. Anything else? I suppose you want it to be lightning fast as well? Handle ripping and tagging duties?

My point is, it's a pretty tall order, don't you think? I mean, what makes you think the ReQuest will sound better than some of these other products; has your friend auditioned it in his system?

CD

If you read my post I didn't mention SBR or classic. Transporter is $2k high end DAC squeezebox for systems as he mentioned. Also Pronto TSU9800 has a 6.4 inch screen - not quite 7 inches but close.

BTW here is the link to the software I use to control Squeezebox on Pronto (it is same for SBR, Classic or Transporter).

http://www.prontosqueeze.com/


McSmarty, doesn't sound like a Classic or SBR is going to do it for him, AQ-wise, as he's tried a Sonos to his DAC and not found it to his liking (and I would put the Classic and SBR on par with that device). I agree with you, the digital output from these devices, through a good DAC in the $1k range passes muster for me, but there's no accounting for really revealing systems (and of course, Golden Ears).

Also, I don't think the 3.7" screen of the Pronto is what he has in mind. Probably more like a 15", 17" touch-monitor, like the one that comes with the Sooloos system that Kal recommended (if the OP has BIG bucks), or one he can DIY with CQC or J. River/Cinemar, as I suggested (if he doesn't).

CD

If you read my post I didn't mention SBR or classic. Transporter is $2k high end DAC squeezebox for systems as he mentioned. Also Pronto TSU9800 has a 6.4 inch screen - not quite 7 inches but close.

You're right; re-reading your post, I see you say give SB another look, but then specify you mean in regard to the Transporter. Also, I only saw you mention the 9600, but of course you say or 9800 (with the bigger) screen...and I see the OP is really only looking for around a 7" screen.

My bad, all around. :D

CD

OK, so let's review: you need a streamer/controller for a 12,000 CD FLAC collection, you want a large touchscreen controller (but that can also be portable), it needs to sound better than the digital output of a Sonos...you don't want to pay a premium for easy-to-use, proprietary software/hardware, but you don't want to have to tweak and fiddle with it. Anything else? I suppose you want it to be lightning fast as well? Handle ripping and tagging duties?

My point is, it's a pretty tall order, don't you think? I mean, what makes you think the ReQuest will sound better than some of these other products; has your friend auditioned it in his system?

CD

OK, yes, tall order, but manageable...

Price tag for hardware software control isn't the true issue when it comes to Sooloos; it's the storage! ReQuest isn't cheap, and escient etc, were also considered. It's about our interface problem. The touch screen, I may not have specified early, should be portable. For stationary, the ReQuest 15" would be fine...

You're right; re-reading your post, I see you say give SB another look, but then specify you mean in regard to the Transporter. Also, I only saw you mention the 9600, but of course you say or 9800 (with the bigger) screen...and I see the OP is really only looking for around a 7" screen.

CD

Actually, looking at 7"ish screens due to weight. The new fujitsu is a nice slate to use a web interface with a 12" screen, but it's over 3 lbs.; was wondering if anyone had seen any controllers that might have 10" or 12" screens that were lighter OR suggestions for different units and interfaces that would navigate that size music collection on a smaller screen (proprietary or not). Also, when it comes to SB, it seems from various forums (this included) that it's less 'tinker free' than some of the pricier more proprietary (there's that word again) units.

Keep the info (and the slings and arrows) coming :cool:

OK, yes, tall order, but manageable...

Yeah, I hope so. I thought about being more of a wise-ass, but I sincerely hope you pull it off. Like you said, I'm sure it can be done, but probably not cheaply (which I know isn't a criteria), or easily (which maybe is).

IMO, your biggest hurdle is going to be AQ; if your friend can distinguish CDs from his FLACs-through Sonos-into his DAC he's probably got all of the following: a) a really revealing system, b) a great existing transport, c) Golden ears. My point is, he may not be happy...by comparison...with any digital streaming. I'm sure many of the Golden-ear club will tell you their Transport/DAC combo reveals just an nth more detail, but that they happily trade it (in some cases) for the great convenience of streaming. If you're acting as your friend's consultant on this, you may want to prepare him for that reality. I'd also be curious if he has d) a crappy FLAC; what's his rip process?

CD

Yeah, I hope so. I thought about being more of a wise-ass, but I sincerely hope you pull it off. Like you said, I'm sure it can be done, but probably not cheaply (which I know isn't a criteria), or easily (which maybe is).

IMO, your biggest hurdle is going to be AQ; if your friend can distinguish CDs from his FLACs-through Sonos-into his DAC he's probably got all of the following: a) a really revealing system, b) a great existing transport, c) Golden ears. My point is, he may not be happy...by comparison...with any digital streaming. I'm sure many of the Golden-ear club will tell you their Transport/DAC combo reveals just an nth more detail, but that they happily trade it (in some cases) for the great convenience of streaming. If you're acting as your friend's consultant on this, you may want to prepare him for that reality. I'd also be curious if he has d) a crappy FLAC; what's his rip process?

CD

The DAC part will be the same, so it's a matter of something being lost in the digital...makes no sense to me, but he said even his wife heard the difference, so lends a bit more credibility to the claim ;)

See, now here's the funny part (well, funny to me 'cause he's gonna 'pay' for this cluster f***)...The CD's were originally flac files, that in his inifinite wisdom he decided to burn...wait for it...and then erase!!--um, space ain't cheap enough??? The testing was done with a freshly burned CD off of flac files, so if anything was being lost in conversion, the CD would have sounded worse...

As for being a wise-ass, nothing you say to me will compare to what i've said to him :D

He auditioned the Sonos, and the sound was not comparable to the CD, even through the Sonos digital out to the DAC.
thats funny since its just not possible...
well I guess there is the psychoacoustical effect... ie Sonos looks like a cheap little plastic box, therefore it sounds like a cheap little plastic box in his mind...:rolleyes:
the SB transporter is the perfect cure for that... it looks the part of high end...

or maybe his CD player is altering the sound from the CD's, I don't think any of the streamers can do that natively, but there are companies that do 'high end' mods that will alter the sound...

or maybe he just hooked it up wrong?

anyway, sonos isn't the best option here anyway, you would run up against the 65K (85K?, whatever 12000 CD's is a lot of songs) song limit real quick...

anyway, a bunch of transporters (http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_transporter.html)+ CQC (http://www.charmedquark.com/)or ML (http://www.cinemarsolutions.com/)+ a couple touch screens of your choice and your good to go, once set up, no tweaking is needed... and he could always do video at a later date if he wanted...

thats funny since its just not possible...
well I guess there is the psychoacoustical effect... ie Sonos looks like a cheap little plastic box, therefore it sounds like a cheap little plastic box in his mind...:rolleyes:
the SB transporter is the perfect cure for that... it looks the part of high end...

or maybe his CD player is altering the sound from the CD's, I don't think any of the streamers can do that natively, but there are companies that do 'high end' mods that will alter the sound...

or maybe he just hooked it up wrong?

anyway, sonos isn't the best option here anyway, you would run up against the 65K (85K?, whatever 12000 CD's is a lot of songs) song limit real quick...

anyway, a bunch of transporters (http://www.slimdevices.com/pi_transporter.html)+ CQC (http://www.charmedquark.com/)or ML (http://www.cinemarsolutions.com/)+ a couple touch screens of your choice and your good to go, once set up, no tweaking is needed... and he could always do video at a later date if he wanted...

The first part, I'm not gonna open that can o'worms. Too many other threads devoted to the discussion...and my opinion and money aren't what are driving this.

As for Sonos limit, still wondering why they haven't been able to get past it, but again, I digress to a topic covered elsewhere.

Now, onto Main Lobby...Windows based? Trying to stay away from that, except maybe the web tablet/slate controller part, thanks. I know, yet another condition...if it was easy, I wouldn't have posted in the first place.

As for Sonos limit, still wondering why they haven't been able to get past it, but again, I digress to a topic covered elsewhere.


Performance, simplicity and reliability reasons. Their design does not require a server, it relies on a local index stored in memory on each box. So it is lightning fast and does not need any application running, outside of the firmware on each box. The trade off is the size of the local index is limited by the maximum amount of memory on each box.

You can utilize a couple UPnP servers out there, like WMP server, to eliminate the 65,000 track limit.

The first part, I'm not gonna open that can o'worms. Too many other threads devoted to the discussion...and my opinion and money aren't what are driving this.
aww, but some of those Real Reality Vs. a Reality that only Audiophiles can perceive discussions, can be most enjoyable...

As for Sonos limit, still wondering why they haven't been able to get past it, but again, I digress to a topic covered elsewhere.
Jgatie covered this nicely, and for me its a non-issue as I only have ~400 CDS or so... less than 1K at least... but for this, it would just be an added hassle...

Now, onto Main Lobby...Windows based? Trying to stay away from that, except maybe the web tablet/slate controller part, thanks. I know, yet another condition...if it was easy, I wouldn't have posted in the first place.
well, I would go with CQC over ML personally:) but still, yep windows based...

and while I understand, and usually agree with your stated stance on windows, it is also possible to make windows 100% reliable... CQC is mainly directed at custom installers, not really the people who like to keep coming back to a job site and tweaking/rebooting/messing with a system... the way to get there is to make your windows server a little black box that no one touches... no surfing porn, etc... no keyboard or mouse even... like those little HP media something WHS servers work perfectly for this...
but if you are one of those who avoid windows at all cost, this would be a hard sell...

If you read my post I didn't mention SBR or classic. Transporter is $2k high end DAC squeezebox for systems as he mentioned. Also Pronto TSU9800 has a 6.4 inch screen - not quite 7 inches but close.

BTW here is the link to the software I use to control Squeezebox on Pronto (it is same for SBR, Classic or Transporter).

http://www.prontosqueeze.com/

Interesting. I wonder if there's any chance that would work on the old RC9800? My wife bought me one, way back when it was the "hottest" remote going; I never got around to really setting it up, and one thing led to another...and now it's just about obsolete. But if I could use it to control Squeeze...

CD

I have all my CDs ripped to my Vista Media Center PC (no compression - mp3's sound like sh%t over a quality audio system). I control the PC via an inwall touchscreen (Elo; $100 on fleabay) with VMC, and now remotely via a Nokia N770 internet tablet ($120 on fleabay) running remote user software (free). With the Nokia N770, I can remote into the PC and use the Vista Media Center interface (which I really like). Additionally, I routed the audio out through an Autopatch matrix switcher ($50 on Fleabay) so now have zone control.

Works flawlessly.

Ben

Saw the newer Nokia, but looking for larger screen size. Now this looks cool, if they really come out... https://www.alwaysinnovating.com/touchbook/

9" screen, touch screen detaches from keyboard...screen alone is ~1lb. Use any interface that will run in a web browser. Best part, $300 w/o keyboard, $400 with. Niiiice.